#InfrastructureBill #BintheBill As is usual, it’s written as if to lull one into a lengthy stupor. But the contents of the infrastructure bill should snap you wide awake. It raises some awkward questions. Take air pollution – now the world’s chief killer. In 2012, it was the source of about 7 million premature deaths. Every year in the world’s most advanced economies it costs about US$3.5 trillion in lives lost and ill health. In our own backyard, it’s reached illegal highs – and takes the lives of 29,000 people every year. Today, a new report from the environmental audit committee (of which I’m a member) dubs air pollution “a public health imperative”, and concludes that – to save lives – “urgent change is needed”. But the infrastructure bill doesn’t mention clean air targets. Instead, it emphasises big road investment – to the tune, boasts our government, of a headline-baiting £15bn and 1,300 miles in new lanes. That £15bn would buy roughly 30 state-of-the-art hospitals. Which could come in handy, given all the air pollution. (...) This year, David Cameron dubbed climate change one of “the greatest threats” we faced. Just yesterday Ed Miliband proclaimed tackling climate change was “the most important thing” he could do in politics. But the infrastructure bill doesn’t mention climate change. And, aside from some tinkering around the details, the bill’s big climate picture – or lack of – is backed by all main parties. It includes a new duty to maximise the recovery of oil and gas – just when we’re duty-bound to reduce it. Science is clear on that: to avoid catastrophic climate change, about 80% of our existing fossil fuel reserves must stay good and unburned. But the government’s on a shale crusade. And the infrastructure bill paves the way for a whole new fossil fuel industry. And what fracking firms want, they get. The bill awards them sweeping new powers to run pipelines under private land – without the consent of owners. It’s opposed by 75% of us, but what does public opinion matter? Meanwhile, the UK’s renewables (we’ve some of the best in Europe) struggle to get a word in edgeways.
Posted on: Sat, 20 Dec 2014 14:14:15 +0000
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